General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMarie Yovanovitch: These are turbulent times. But we will persist and prevail (Must Read)
Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, during the House impeachment inquiry on Capitol Hill in November. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
By Marie L. Yovanovitch
Feb. 6, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. EST
Marie L. Yovanovitch served most recently as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.
<snip>
It was an honor for me to represent the United States abroad because, like many immigrants, I have a keen understanding of what our country represents. In a leap of optimism and faith, my parents made their way from the wreckage of post-World War II Europe to America, knowing in their hearts that this country would give me a better life. They rested their hope, not in the possibility of prosperity, but in a strong democracy: a country with resilient institutions, a government that sought to advance the interests of its people, and a society in which freedom was cherished and dissent protected. These are treasures that must be carefully guarded by all who call themselves Americans.
When civil servants in the current administration saw senior officials taking actions they considered deeply wrong in regard to the nation of Ukraine, they refused to take part. When Congress asked us to testify about those activities, my colleagues and I did not hesitate, even in the face of administration efforts to silence us.
<snip>
We did this because it is the American way to speak up about wrongdoing. I have seen dictatorships around the world, where blind obedience is the norm and truth-tellers are threatened with punishment or death. We must not allow the United States to become a country where standing up to our government is a dangerous act. It has been shocking to experience the storm of criticism, lies and malicious conspiracies that have preceded and followed my public testimony, but I have no regrets. I did we did what our conscience called us to do. We did what the gift of U.S. citizenship requires us to do.
Unfortunately, the last year has shown that we need to fight for our democracy. Freedom is not free is a pithy phrase that usually refers to the sacrifices of our military against external threats. It turns out that same slogan can be applied to challenges which are closer to home. We need to stand up for our values, defend our institutions, participate in civil society and support a free press. Every citizen doesnt need to do everything, but each one of us can do one thing. And every day, I see American citizens around me doing just that: reanimating the Constitution and the values it represents. We do this even when the odds seem against us, even when wrongdoers seem to be rewarded, because it is the right thing to do.
</snip>
malaise
(269,054 posts)RFN!
hlthe2b
(102,292 posts)Perhaps my well wishes and gratitude will find their way to her somehow.
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)...Fiona Hill and Lt Col Vindman.
hlthe2b
(102,292 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)Off to submit a new one, or two, or three.
hlthe2b
(102,292 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)pazzyanne
(6,556 posts)Thank you for the link.
gademocrat7
(10,659 posts)Thank you, Ambassador Yovanovitch for your dedication and service.
sarge43
(28,941 posts)Here is your Secretary of State.
Great idea!
Martin Eden
(12,870 posts)Occupies the highest office, with conspirators in the Senate and House. To see and hear this fascist POtuS receive repeated thunderous applause at the SOTU appalled me to my core.
I could no longer bear it when a lying racist scum who made a career of poisoning minds with hateful propaganda was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
We have to find a cure for this disease which sickens the heart and soul of America.
We need more courageous patriots like ambassador Yovanovitch, but they are being systematically driven out of our government.
llmart
(15,540 posts)I've been posting something similar (not as eloquently of course) on DU lately. We all have to do whatever we can, no matter how small, to right this ship of state. If all you can do is speak out against the madness, then absolutely find your voice and speak out without fear or intimidation by the loud mouthed Trumper next to you. If all you can do is send money to those Democratic people who are running against a treasonous Republican, then send what you can. It doesn't matter how much. Really, it doesn't.
There are more of us than them. Now is the time to step up from now until November (and beyond) until we have the majority rule. We have some really, really good people putting themselves on the line to run for office and we need to support them.
Do not let the media and Republicans take our democracy from us.
I will print Maria's words out, hang them up by my desk, and remind myself every single day that if I'm not part of the solution then I'm part of the problem. This is no time for nonparticipation in saving what used to be the most admired country in the world.
pazzyanne
(6,556 posts)It is words like hers that put the context into why we are fighting so hard against the current resident of the White House. She and others like her are the "wind beneath our wings".
wishstar
(5,270 posts)Pompeo who was in the loop and chose to do nothing knows he is guilty of not protecting her at our Ukraine embassy and instead allowed the corrupt Trump/Giuliani underhanded plot against her to be carried out.
Danascot
(4,690 posts)with accolades for Adam Schiff, Gerald Nadler, Nancy Pelosi and the house managers. Taking nothing away from their considerable achievements Ive felt that Marie Yovanovitch, Fiona Hill, Lt Col Vindman and the others who testified so courageously during the hearings should be recognized. Their patriotism stands in stark contrast with Trump, Barr, McConnell, the GOP Senators and the traitors on the other side and serves as an inspiration to all of us.
Edited to cite a few others by name: Jennifer Williams, George Kent and William Taylor.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)world wide wally
(21,744 posts)to pick our leaders.
WHY?